Study Abroad Content Specialist | Updated On - May 11, 2026
Italy does not offer an MBBS degree. The medical qualification from Italy is called Laurea Magistrale in Medicina e Chirurgia (LM-41). It is a 6-year single-cycle degree in Medicine and Surgery and is equivalent to MBBS and MD. This degree is recognised across all 27 EU member states and is also NMC-compliant, making graduates eligible for FMGE in India. Italy has 17 public universities offering this program entirely in English. Students interested in enrolling need to appear for the IMAT (International Medical Admissions Test). This exam is conducted every September by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR).
Some top public universities for medicine in Italy include University of Milan(#65), Sapienza University of Rome(#72) and University of Bologna(#76). Annual tuition at Italian public universities ranges from €0 to €4,500 (₹0–₹5.01 lakh/year). Tuition is determined by the student's family income, which is evaluated through the ISEE calculation. Most Indian students pay €1,500–€3,000/year (₹1.67–₹3.34 lakh/year) in tuition.
The critical challenge for the Indian students is the IMAT exam. Only 531 non-EU seats are available across all 17 universities and thousands of students from over 100 countries compete for them every year. The IMAT 2025 non-EU cut-off at the University of Bologna was 60.6 out of 90, and at the University of Padua it was 65.4 out of 90. Preparation of 3–6 months is the minimum recommended timeline.
Note: Conversion rate used in this article is 1 EUR = 111.34 INR (4th May, 2026)
- MBBS in Italy: Quick Overview
- Top Public Universities for Medicine in Italy 2026
- Fees and Total Cost of Medicine in Italy for Indian Students
- Eligibility and Admission Requirements for MBBS in Italy
- Admission Process for MBBS in Italy
- Student Visa for Italy (Type D)
- NMC Compliance and FMGE for Italian Medical Graduates
- Italy Medicine vs Other MBBS Abroad Destinations
- FAQs
MBBS in Italy: Quick Overview
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Degree name | Laurea Magistrale in Medicina e Chirurgia (LM-41) — Medicine and Surgery |
| Equivalent to | MBBS + MD (combined 6-year single-cycle degree) |
| Duration | 6 years |
| Medium of instruction | English (at all 17 public universities via IMAT) |
| Admission exam | IMAT — International Medical Admissions Test |
| IMAT exam date | Mid-September 2026 (expected) |
| IMAT registration fee | €130 (₹14,474) |
| Annual tuition | €0–€4,500 (₹0–₹5.01 lakh) — income-based |
| Typical tuition (Indian students) | €1,500–€3,000/year (₹1.67–₹3.34 lakh/year) |
| Total 6-year tuition | €9,000–€18,000 (₹10.02–₹20.04 lakh) |
| Monthly living cost | €700–€1,200 (₹77,938–₹1.34 lakh) |
| Total 6-year all-inclusive | ₹59.79 lakh–₹1.10 crore |
| Total non-EU seats (all universities) | ~531 |
| Universities offering English medicine | 17 public universities |
| EU recognition | Valid across all 27 EU member states |
| WHO WDOMS listed | Yes |
| NMC compliant | Yes — FMGE eligible |
| NEET required | Yes — mandatory for Indian students |
| Student visa | Type D National Long-Stay Visa |
| Visa fee | €50 (₹5,567) |
| Visa processing time | 30–90 days from India |
Top Public Universities for Medicine in Italy 2026
All 17 public universities below offer English-medium Medicine and Surgery (LM-41) programs accessible via IMAT. Fees are annual and in EUR with INR equivalents at 1 EUR = ₹111.34.
| University | City | QS Medicine Rank (2026) | Non-EU Seats | Annual Fee (EUR) | Annual Fee (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Milan "Statale" | Milan | #65 | 15 | €3,000–€4,100 | ₹3.34–₹4.56 lakh |
| Sapienza University of Rome | Rome | #72 | 13 | €1,500 | ₹1.67 lakh |
| University of Bologna | Bologna | #76 | 20 | €2,500–€3,315 | ₹2.78–₹3.69 lakh |
| University of Padua (both tracks) | Padua / Venice | #104 | 25 | €2,900 | ₹3.23 lakh |
| University of Milano-Bicocca | Bergamo | #201-250 | 18 | €1,256 | ₹1.40 lakh |
| University of Naples "Federico II" | Naples | #201-250 | 45 | €2,500 | ₹2.78 lakh |
| University of Rome "Tor Vergata" | Rome | #201-250 | 20 | €2,500 | ₹2.78 lakh |
| University of Pavia | Pavia | #201-250 | 40 | €4,500 | ₹5.01 lakh |
| University of Turin | Turin | #251-300 | 32 | €2,800 | ₹3.12 lakh |
| University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" | Caserta/Naples | - | 32 | €2,800 | ₹3.12 lakh |
| University of Parma | Piacenza | - | 45 | €2,925 | ₹3.26 lakh |
| University of Bari "Aldo Moro" | Bari | - | 11 | €2,400 | ₹2.67 lakh |
| University of Messina | Messina | - | 56 | €2,650 | ₹2.95 lakh |
| University of Catania | Catania | - | 60 | €2,306 | ₹2.57 lakh |
| University of Cagliari | Cagliari | - | 20 | €3,800 | ₹4.23 lakh |
| Marche Polytechnic University | Ancona | - | 60 | €2,315 | ₹2.58 lakh |
Fees and Total Cost of Medicine in Italy for Indian Students
Italy's tuition fees are based on students' family income, which is calculated using the ISEE (Italy's means-testing system). Indian students whose ISEE falls below €27,000 (₹30.06 lakh) get their pay reduced or zero tuition. In practice, most Indian students pay €1,500–€3,000/year (₹1.67–₹3.34 lakh/year).
Annual Cost Breakdown (Average Indian Student):
| Expense | Annual Cost (EUR) | Annual Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (average for Indian students) | €1,500–€3,000 | ₹1.67–₹3.34 lakh |
| Accommodation (shared flat/student housing) | €3,600–€7,200 | ₹4.01–₹8.02 lakh |
| Food | €2,400–€3,600 | ₹2.67–₹4.01 lakh |
| Transport (public) | €300–€600 | ₹33,402–₹66,804 |
| Health insurance | €150–€300 | ₹16,701–₹33,402 |
| Books and materials | €300–€600 | ₹33,402–₹66,804 |
| Personal/misc | €600–€1,200 | ₹66,804–₹1.34 lakh |
| IMAT registration (Year 1 only) | €130 | ₹14,474 |
| Visa fee (Year 1 only) | €50 | ₹5,567 |
| Total Annual | €8,950–€16,530 | ₹9.96–₹18.40 lakh |
| Total 6-Year | €53,700–€99,180 | ₹59.79 lakh–₹1.10 crore |
City-Wise Monthly Living Costs:
| City | Key Universities | Monthly Cost (EUR) | Monthly Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milan | University of Milan Statale, Bicocca | €1,000–€1,500 | ₹1.11–₹1.67 lakh |
| Rome | Sapienza, Tor Vergata | €900–€1,300 | ₹1.00–₹1.45 lakh |
| Bologna | University of Bologna | €900–€1,200 | ₹1.00–₹1.34 lakh |
| Padua/Venice | University of Padua | €800–€1,100 | ₹89,072–₹1.22 lakh |
| Turin | University of Turin | €800–€1,100 | ₹89,072–₹1.22 lakh |
| Naples | Federico II, Vanvitelli | €700–€1,000 | ₹77,938–₹1.11 lakh |
| Pavia | University of Pavia | €700–€1,000 | ₹77,938–₹1.11 lakh |
| Messina/Catania | University of Messina, Catania | €600–€900 | ₹66,804–₹1.00 lakh |
| Ancona | Marche Polytechnic | €650–€900 | ₹72,371–₹1.00 lakh |
Note: Southern Italian cities (Messina, Catania, Naples, Bari) offer the most affordable living costs at €600–€900/month (₹66,804–₹1.00 lakh/month). Northern cities like Milan and Bologna are significantly more expensive.
Eligibility and Admission Requirements for MBBS in Italy
Following requirements need to be fulfilled by the candidates looking to apply for medicine program in Italy:
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Class 12 | PCB with minimum 50% aggregate (General); 40% (SC/ST/OBC) |
| NEET | Mandatory, valid NEET qualifying scorecard required |
| NMC Eligibility Certificate | Must be obtained before taking admission |
| IMAT | Mandatory, must appear and score above cut-off |
| Age | Minimum 17 years by December 31 of admission year |
| English proficiency | No IELTS/TOEFL required for IMAT; some universities may require for visa |
| IMAT registration | Through Universitaly portal (universitaly.it) |
| IMAT fee | €130 (₹14,474) |
| University choices | Up to 4 universities in order of preference on Universitaly |
Admission Process for MBBS in Italy
Here is a step by step process for MBBS in Italy admission:
| Step | Action | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | Obtain NMC Eligibility Certificate from nmc.org.in | Before applying |
| Step 2 | Qualify NEET — obtain valid scorecard | Before applying |
| Step 3 | Begin IMAT preparation (Biology, Chemistry, Maths/Physics, Logical Reasoning) | 3–6 months before exam |
| Step 4 | Create account on Universitaly portal (universitaly.it) | July 2026 |
| Step 5 | Register for IMAT, select test centre in India, pay €130 (₹14,474) | July–August 2026 |
| Step 6 | Appear for IMAT exam | Mid-September 2026 |
| Step 7 | Results published; university offers issued based on ranking | October 2026 |
| Step 8 | Accept offer and complete pre-enrolment on Universitaly | October 2026 |
| Step 9 | Apply for Type D Student Visa at Italian Embassy/VFS Global | October–November 2026 |
| Step 10 | Arrive in Italy; complete university registration | November 2026 |
Student Visa for Italy (Type D)
Indian students require a Type D National Long-Stay Student Visa for medicine in Italy. It takes between 30–90 days to process from India.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Type D National Long-Stay Student Visa |
| Validity | 1 year (renewable annually as Permesso di Soggiorno) |
| Visa fee | €50 (₹5,567) |
| Processing time | 30–90 days (up to 12 weeks from India) |
| Apply at | Italian Embassy New Delhi / VFS Global (Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru) |
| Financial proof | Minimum €6,000–€7,000 (₹6.68–₹7.79 lakh) in bank account |
| Documents required | Passport, university offer letter, IMAT result, proof of accommodation, financial proof, health insurance, passport photos, visa application form |
| Residence permit | Permesso di Soggiorno — applied within 8 days of arrival in Italy |
| Part-time work | Allowed up to 20 hours/week |
| Italian minimum wage | €9/hour (₹1,002/hour) (students can earn €700–€800/month (₹77,938–₹89,072/month) part-time) |
| Post-study | Graduates can apply for EU Blue Card or work permit in Italy/EU |
Also Check: Visa to Study In Italy
NMC Compliance and FMGE for Italian Medical Graduates
Italy's LM-41 degree is fully NMC-compliant and FMGE-eligible, provided the student followed the correct procedure before admission.
| NMC Requirement | Details | Italy Status |
|---|---|---|
| WHO WDOMS listing | University must be listed at search.wdoms.org | All 17 public universities listed |
| NMC Eligibility Certificate | Must be obtained before admission | Required (apply at nmc.org.in) |
| NEET qualification | Mandatory qualifying score | Required |
| Minimum course duration | 54 months instruction | 6-year LM-41 satisfies this |
| Internship | 12 months at same institution | Included in Year 6 clinical rotations |
| Medium of instruction | English or official language | English-medium |
| No NMC advisory | University not on advisory list | No advisory against Italian universities |
| FMGE eligibility | Degree from WHO WDOMS-listed, NMC-compliant institution | Eligible |
| EU recognition | Valid across 27 EU member states | Yes |
Italy Medicine vs Other MBBS Abroad Destinations
Here is a detailed comparison between Italy and other MBBS abroad destinations:
| Parameter | Italy | Germany | Georgia | Russia | Kyrgyzstan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Degree name | LM-41 (Medicine & Surgery) | Staatsexamen | MD | MD | MD (Physician) |
| Duration | 6 years | 6 years 3 months | 6 years | 6 years | 6 years |
| Annual tuition | €1,500–€3,000 (₹1.67–₹3.34 lakh) | €0 (₹0) | ₹4–₹5 lakh | ₹3–₹8 lakh | ₹2.84–₹5.01 lakh |
| Total 6-year tuition | ₹10.02–₹20.04 lakh | ₹0–₹2 lakh | ₹24–₹30 lakh | ₹18–₹48 lakh | ₹17–₹30 lakh |
| Total 6-year all-inclusive | ₹59.79 lakh–₹1.10 crore | ₹70–₹1.20 crore | ₹20–₹35 lakh | ₹25–₹50 lakh | ₹17–₹32 lakh |
| Admission exam | IMAT | NC + Studienkolleg | Direct/NEET | Direct/NEET | Direct/NEET |
| Language requirement | English | German C1 | English | Russian/English | English |
| EU recognition | 27 EU states | 27 EU states | No | No | No |
| FMGE 2024 pass rate | Not separately tracked | Not separately tracked | 35.65% | 29.54% | 25.05% |
| NMC advisory | None | None | None | None | None |
| Non-EU seats available | ~531 total | Very limited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Admission difficulty | Very high (IMAT) | Extremely high (NC) | Moderate | Low–Moderate | Low–Moderate |
| Part-time work | 20 hrs/week | 20 hrs/week | Limited | Limited | Limited |
Also Read
Medicine in Italy is the right choice for a student who scores well in Biology and Chemistry and is willing to invest 3–6 months in serious IMAT preparation. Students have to manage living costs ranging from €700 to €1,200/month (₹77,938 to ₹1.34 lakh/month).
The total 6-year tuition (₹10.02–₹20.04 lakh) in Italy is one of the lowest of any European destination, but the total all-inclusive cost of ₹59.79 lakh–₹1.10 crore is high due to European living expenses.
The 531 non-EU seats across all 17 universities make Italy one of the most competitive MBBS abroad destinations (far more selective than Russia, Georgia, or Kyrgyzstan).
For students with the goal to return to India and practice medicine at the lowest total cost, Georgia (₹20–₹35 lakh, 35.65% FMGE) or Kyrgyzstan (₹17–₹32 lakh, KRSU 39.66% FMGE) are more practical choices. Italy is the right choice for students who want a globally ranked EU degree and are prepared for the IMAT competition and European living costs.
FAQs
Ques: What is the IMAT exam and is it required for medicine in Italy?
Ans: The IMAT (International Medical Admissions Test) is the mandatory entrance exam for all English-taught medicine programmes at Italian public universities. It consists of 60 multiple-choice questions completed in 100 minutes. It covers Biology (23 questions), Chemistry (15 questions), Mathematics and Physics (13 questions), Logical Reasoning (5 questions), and Reading Skills (4 questions). The registration fee is €130 (₹14,474) and the exam is held in mid-September each year.
Ques: How many seats are available for Indian students in Italian medicine programmes?
Ans: Around 531 non-EU seats are available across all 17 public universities combined for the 2026 intake.
Ques: What IMAT score is needed to get into medicine in Italy?
Ans: There is no fixed passing score. Students are ranked by IMAT score and admission depends on available seats. Based on IMAT 2025 non-EU cut-offs, the University of Padua required 65.4, the University of Bologna required 60.6–61.2, and Marche Polytechnic required 58.2. Universities with more non-EU seats like Catania (60 seats) and Messina (56 seats) had lower cut-offs of about 52–55. A score of 55+ is generally considered competitive for most universities; 65+ is required for top-ranked institutions.
Ques: Is the Italian medicine degree valid in India?
Ans: Yes, provided the student obtained an NMC Eligibility Certificate before admission and the university is WHO WDOMS-listed. After completing the 6-year LM-41 degree, Indian graduates must clear the FMGE (or NExT from 2028) and complete a 12-month CRMI at an NMC-recognised Indian hospital before practicing in India.
Ques: Can Indian students work part-time while studying medicine in Italy?
Ans: Yes. Indian students on a Type D Student Visa can work up to 20 hours/week in Italy.
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